+
+
Acer opalus

Acer opalus

Italian Maple

Download PDF

Description

Acer opalus (Italian Maple) grows in the hills and mountains, from the south of Europe down to Northern Africa. Related trees are the Acer monspessulanum, Prunus mahaleb, Quercus pubescens and Laburnum anagyroides. The Italian maple is naturally multi-stemmed, but is still quite an impressive tree-forming variety - with an ovoid crown reaching heights of up to 15 metres - and can thus also easily be planted as a standard tree. 

A striking quality of the Acer opalus is its blooms. In late April, early May, even before the leaves appear, the tree blooms short, yellow, hanging umbels in corymbs. After it blooms, winged samaras appear, in racemes of two each. In cultivation, this seed is often sterile, meaning that it does not sprout. It has sinuate, obtuse lobate leaves that are hairy at a young age, and which bud red in spring, after which they turn a glossy dark green with a blue-green underside and in autumn, the Italian maple’s leaves turn a surprisingly beautiful orange-red to golden yellow. In its early stages, the Acer opalus has grey, smooth bark that turns darker and peels off in small sheets later on. 

Acer opalus is an excellent candidate for cities, as this maple prefers warm, sheltered microclimates. It’s a beautiful species for central reservations, parks or gardens that could be used much more. Furthermore, the Italian maple can withstand heat and drought very well. That also makes it perfect for use in tree planters. Acer opalus prefers an environment with sun to partial shade in moist soil, which can be poor to moderately nutrient-rich.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees climate trees solitary shrubs

Topiary on stem

fval multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

park central reservation in containers large garden cemetery countryside ecological zone

Pavement

none none open open

Planting concepts

climate planting eco planting landscape planting prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

egg-shaped egg-shaped

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

10 - 15 m

Width

5 - 10 m

Winter hardiness zone

5A - 8B

Aspects

Wind

intolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

low in nutrients moderately rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

bees butterflies nectar value 5 pollen value 5

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness tolerates heat

Get to know Ebben Nurseries

Visit our nurseries with multi-stem trees, climbing trees, trees for avenues and parks characteristic trees and solitary shrubs.

Make an appointment

Place order or further information?

Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Acer opalus? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
Our planting advisors

Photos

Magnify
high-stem standard tree
Acer opalus standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Acer opalus standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Acer opalus standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Acer opalus standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Acer opalus standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Acer opalus standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Acer opalus standard tree
multi-stem multi-stem
Acer opalus multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Acer opalus multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Acer opalus multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Acer opalus multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Acer opalus multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Acer opalus multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Acer opalus multi-stem
flowers flowers
Acer opalus flowers
flowers flowers
Acer opalus flowers
flowers flowers
Acer opalus flowers
flowers flowers
Acer opalus flowers
flowers flowers
Acer opalus flowers
leaves leaves
Acer opalus leaves
leaves leaves
Acer opalus leaves
leaves leaves
Acer opalus leaves
leaves leaves
Acer opalus leaves
fruits fruits
Acer opalus fruits
fruits fruits
Acer opalus fruits
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Acer opalus autumn leaves
bark bark
Acer opalus bark
twigs twigs
Acer opalus twigs
twigs twigs
Acer opalus twigs
twigs twigs
Acer opalus twigs
twigs twigs
Acer opalus twigs

Flowers

Flowers

umbels corymbose striking pendulous big

Flower colour

bright yellow

Flowering period

April - May

Leaves

Leaf colour

buds red dark green underside blue-green

Leaves

deciduous palmate opposite leathery polished undulate lobate

Autumn colour

golden yellow orange-red

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown

Fruits

striking winged large

Bark

Bark colour

grey

Bark

peeling smooth, later on rough

Twigs

Twig colour

olive green

Twigs

bare polished

Root system

Root system

shallow fine roots

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

Contact
Show filters Hide filters
Show comparison
View mood board
×
TreeEbb

TreeEbb

Geographic location
Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
-
m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
OK
Special features
OK
Search
English
View mood board
Show comparison
Your selection:
Sluiten

Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
EU Organic Products
Planet Proof
MVO-Nederland
ISO-9001
ISO-14001
CO²-presentatieladder
Boomfeestdag
NVTL

FIND OUT MORE

CONTACT

T +31 (0)485 31 20 21
F +31 (0)485 31 38 88
E info@ebben.nl

STEP INTO OUR GREEN WORLD!

Visit our 500-hectare nurseries and see our 1,400-m² roof garden.
Make an appointment

STAY UP TO DATE

Sign up for our newsletter
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SUBSCRIBING
© 2024  •  Boomkwekerij Ebben B.V.  •  Disclaimer  •  Privacy and cookie statement  •  Terms and conditions  •  Purchase conditions
STAY UP TO DATE
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SUBSCRIBING
×
Cookie settings

We use cookies when offering electronic services. A cookie is a small, simple file that is sent with the pages of this website and stored on the hard disk of your computer by your browser. This allows us to combine various requests for pages on the website and analyse users’ behaviour, for example. You can indicate which cookies you wish to accept using the settings below. Bear in mind that not accepting cookies will mean that part of the functionality of this website may not be available. You can find more information about the use of data and the various cookies in our privacy and cookie declaration.